Intriguingalero

Q: Can't select anything.

I have an Indigo G3 that when I go install Mac OS 9.2 it boots to the CD screen, but when I click anything it only highlights in black and does nothing else. I checked the drive with my PowerBook and it's fine. Is there any way to fix this? Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on May 4, 2015 10:13 PM

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Q: Can't select anything.

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 4, 2015 10:53 PM in response to Intriguingalero
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 4, 2015 10:53 PM in response to Intriguingalero

    Was the computer's firmware updated prior to running OS9.2.2, back in an original

    Mac OS 8.x? Had the computer been forced to boot from an OS X install DVD and

    not have the firmware update applied beforehand? This may have some bearing.

     

    There may be some kind of hardware issue that would not allow the computer to

    start or use the install CD. If there is any kind of included hardware test or a third

    party test on CD that may be booted by the computer (some tests had a small OS

    partition that could run the computer w/o an OS installed in the Mac) from that era

    you may be able to see if a disk utility may be needed to correctly format or test

    the drive. There may be some other problem, as those CRT iMac G3 models did

    have problems with fly-back converters and graphic hardware failure...

     

    However I have no specific method to offer, from which to proceed in this matter.

  • by Intriguingalero,

    Intriguingalero Intriguingalero May 5, 2015 8:33 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2015 8:33 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Alright well I got it to install 9.2, but I am still having the selection issue. I had to go to , file then open in order to get things to open, but it can't read my music CDs even though iTunes is on and it insists that the iTunes that is on it requires Quicktime 3 while Quicktime asks for version 5. Sorry I am new to Mac OS 9.2 and this is pretty alien to me.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 5, 2015 9:57 AM in response to Intriguingalero
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2015 9:57 AM in response to Intriguingalero

    Some issues may result from the method of installation, if not from a retail CD source;

    there are specific extensions and other system parts that may not be installed or were

    improper if available. Was 9.2 CD a retail disc, or grey one, from a different computer?

     

    What are the specifications of the white iBook G3 you have? I'm assuming if it's white

    the unit is at least 500MHz, if the first of that build series, with very little RAM onboard.

     

    Awhile back, I had a first-edition white iBook G3 500MHz model (dual USB) when re-sold

    it was running OS X 10.3.9 & MacOS 9.2.2. It did OK, w/ 576MB RAM. It preferred 9.2.2.

    Stock hard drive was only 10GB, and it shipped with CD-ROM optical drive. If you have

    one of these, their production started in May 2001; and the appearance stayed the same

    from then until the end of iBook G4 production in mid-2005.

     

    Not sure why you cannot select anything, or what exactly may cause the situation.


    • Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU) - Apple Support

     

    You could attempt to reset Power Management Unit. You could see if a USB keyboard

    may help, if the keyboard & trackpad may be acting up, use USB wired peripherals.

     

    The PMU reset may or may not affect the issue you're experiencing with this unit.

  • by Intriguingalero,

    Intriguingalero Intriguingalero May 5, 2015 2:04 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2015 2:04 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Well it's an iMac G3 with 500MHz, and the keyboard works fine.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 5, 2015 6:48 PM in response to Intriguingalero
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 5, 2015 6:48 PM in response to Intriguingalero

    Oh...

     

    That reply wasn't even intended for this thread.

    Maybe I could get a Host to delete my post? LOL!

     

    OK, there was a confusion that carried over between two posts I was looking into (and elsewhere.)

    There was another thread in iBook --  that had an issue -- with different troubleshooting. So the mixup.

     

    Then I had to drive an elder to hours-long medical appointments, just got back. Sorry about that.

    Usually between this that and the other thing, I spend most days helping semi-invalid elder parent.

     

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_G3

     

    A new clock battery on the logic board may help resolve some startup issues, if it is dead

    or very weak. Or if the computer had a later OS X installed but the Firmware Update was

    not installed first in an original Mac OS running in the computer, a symptom of this failure

    is a black screen and nothing else on boot-up. Some users were able to connect external

    display (on models with external port) to help troubleshoot this issue. Others not so much.

     

    (I've only owned & repaired, then donated about 300+ Macs and then got away from that

    for awhile. Most of these I've owned more than a few of, and hadn't owned a computer

    prior to getting one that needed work. Then, at one time I had a room with 75 in it. but that

    was never in a business or other location, just where I lived. All repaired, & working... So

    it was a big disappointment for me to get a new computer with AppleCare and found there

    was no Apple Store or decent authorized repair company who'd handle issues with it. And

    as I wasn't certified, I could not fix it while under Apple warranty, either. I have a few that

    need repair, but I don't have time now for that, or for me.)

     

    Anyway, I'm expected to do other things, elsewhere; and so I'm going offline again.

    Sorry for the mess-up in adding a reply here, that wasn't for your Mac at all...!